2027 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Hugo Lacroix, TE/FB, Université de Sherbrooke

Name: Hugo Lacroix
Position: TE/FB
College: Université de Sherbrooke
Height: 6’1
Weight: 230lbs
Instagram: hugolacrx

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2027 NFL Draft?

My size and speed for my position, as well as my effort and motor on special teams

Tell me about a time you faced adversity and how you responded?

At my 2^nd year of university, I had a lot of issue with the mental side of the game due to stress and anxiety and it impacted my play on the field. It led to me getting benched. I had to do a lot of work to build back my confidence and get back to the player I could really be when my head was strong.

What are your hobbies outside of football?

I love sports a lot, so I do a lot of them outside of football. I’d say my favorites are basketball and cycling, but I’m starting to love pickleball a more and more. Outside of sports, I’m a big music fan. I love to geek on albums and artists of different genres.

What role do you see yourself playing at the next level?

At TE/FB on offense, trying to be more a receiving threat in the middle of the field. Also, I see myself as a good blocker, especially with momentum such as wham blocks and lead blocks. But, as much as I love offense, I really see myself as a Teamer in the CFL, an anchor for the special teams that can fill any role on any unit.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

It would be any cause that creates opportuinities to play sports in poorer communities. I think sports should not be a privilege but a right for any human being, because sports allow us to reach a potential that other activities don’t push us to achieve. I think it’s a must for everyone to have access to this potential.

How do you handle coaching, especially criticism or being corrected repeatedly?

I love it. If i knew everything, I’d be in the hall of fame already. But I’m not, so I still have to learn a lot about this sport, and I love to. The process of getting better every day is gratifying, and even if it’s sometimes doing the same thing over and over, I never get tired of it.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school?

I’d say Tristan Beauchemin, our left tackle. Being an O-Lineman already makes a great football player underrated, since they are not getting the spotlight. But Tristan being quieter and not as big as other linemen makes him go even more under the radar. But watch the tape and you’ll see great technique and great effort on evey single play. It’s nothing fancy, just great fundementals, and it’s amazing to watch.

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would it be and why did you choose them?

Firstly, the GOAT, Jerry Rice. This guy used to catch bricks and ran a slow 40yds dash, but still dominated the NFL like no others for the longest time. He’s one of my favorite player of all time, so it’s a sure pick. Secondly, I’d have dinner with Kobe. The mamba mentality is one of my life motto, doing the same things every day to better yourself not just as an athlete, but also a person in its whole. Thirdly, I would love to meet The Alchemist. He’s one of my favorite music producer, and I’d love to hear about his creative process and just chat with him about music.

If you were benched tomorrow, what would be the most likely reason?

My head space being like it was in my second year of university. I really think that with the right mindset, I can be a great football player. But when I start to question myself and the spiral starts, that’s when I’m my biggest enemy for performance. I have many strategies nowaday to not let that happen, but it would still be the most likely reason I cannot play to my fullest potential.

Walk me through your typical pre-game routine?

I always do some tennis ball drills on the wall to get the hand-eye coordination going. Then, I go on the field and start the System Of A Down album Toxicity in my AirPods. I walk through my special teams role for the game with the music banging in my ears. Then, I warm up some of my offensive actions such as blocking the goal post and doing some hip drops. Then, I sit on the ground with my back on the goal post to breath a little bit. I finish with some catches, go back inside and start the team pre-game routine.

What is your favorite snack food?

I don’t snack a lot, but I love me some cereals every now and then. Frosted Flakes are my favorites.

What scheme do you feel you fit the best in?

A scheme where the TE/FB is used a Joker and is moved around a lot. I’m really polyvalent on the offensive side of the ball, and using me as a Swiss army knife is the best way to maximize my ability to do a lot of different actions on the football field.

What is your degree in?

I finished my master in Physiotherapy, also called physical therapist.

What would be the first thing you buy with your first NFL check?

I’d save some money to make my financial advisor happy, but I’d treat me and my girlfriend to a nice restaurant.

Describe a time in a game where you feel you made a mistake, and explain how you bounced back?

In the East-West Bowl, I dropped a wide open touchdown. It was really hard on the mental, but I just figured that the game wasn’t over and I still had other plays to make. So I took a deep breath, looked at where my feet were in the moment, and clapped my hand to wash the play away.

Name three songs, we can expect on your playlist?

• 50 in. Zenith by Westside Gunn
• Empty Pages by The Alchemist
• Something to rap about by The Alchemist